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PNS Daily Newscast - February 16, 2018

Florida lawmakers put a concealed weapons bill on hold; also on today's nationwide rundown, concern about Washington State sharing immigrant activist information with ICE agents; and romance scams on the rise.

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Albany Asked to Boost Funding for Independent-Living Centers

People With Disabilities Protest Tax Bill

Advocates for Iowans with Developmental Disabilities Gather to Inspire Change

Groups Call ADA Bill in Congress an Attack on Civil Rights

The disabilities-rights community says it was not consulted on a bill in Congress promising so-called "reforms" to the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Steve Johnson/Flickr)

February 12, 2018

LINCOLN, Neb. – A bill in Congress aimed at strengthening the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may not be what it seems, according to its critics.

The U.S. House could vote this week on the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620), which would give businesses accused of not complying with the law a grace period to fix alleged infractions on their properties before they are subject to litigation.

Proponents claim it will curb frivolous lawsuits. But Marilyn Golden, senior policy analyst with the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, argues that most lawsuits filed under the ADA are not about money – but about well-meaning efforts to make buildings more accessible.

"If this bill passed, it would be very, very damaging for the civil rights of people with disabilities," Golden warned. "It would mean businesses had no incentive to comply voluntarily with the law; businesses could just take a wait-and-see attitude."

ADA enforcement essentially relies on people with disabilities challenging violations. Golden predicted the legislation would complicate the complaint process and greatly lengthen the time it takes to bring a business into compliance.

Sharon Ohmberger, communications director for the group Disability Rights Nebraska, pointed out that, as a rural state, people are dependent on services in their area being accessible.

"That person with the wheelchair can't get in their car and drive to another town 20 miles away – they're there, and they need to be able to access those services there," Ohmberger explained. "This legislation would create additional barriers for people with disabilities that really aren't necessary."

Golden added the ADA has been law for 28 years, so businesses have had ample time to understand the law's requirements and comply. While it's an issue that may not impact people without disabilities now, she's convinced it very well could in the future.

"As our average age gets older, more and more people will be hampered or excluded by the barriers in buildings that just may be left in place because of this bill," she said.

Opponents also note the bill was not crafted with input from the disability-rights community.